Creed Taylor’s CTI record label was founded in 1967, separating from parent company A&M in 1970. Specialising in a style of jazz that boasted instrumental excellence while keeping an eye on the pop and rock scenes, the label used staff arrangers such as Don Sebesky and Bob James to add orchestral silkiness to the jazz-based releases. Some decried this populist approach, sniffily labelling it as “smooth jazz”. Yet listeners and many critics embraced the records, enjoying a balance of sophistication and accessibility that was reflected in the striking cover art that adorned the solid gatefold sleeves.
Here is a selection from the VC collection.
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Many of the CTI album designs explored the extra space offered by gatefold sleeves. Here are two artistic examples.
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Here is the artist/title/year info.
For those who fancy a dip in the cool CTI waters, each album title is a link to a track from that LP.
Ron Carter — Spanish Blue [1975]
Joe Farrell — Penny Arcade [1974]
George Benson — Body Talk [1973]
Deodato — 2 [1973]
George Benson — Good King Bad [1976]
Gabor Szabo — Rambler [1974]
Airto — Fingers [1973]
Joe Farrell — Outback [1972]
Hubert Laws — Then There Was Light [1974]
Deodato — Prelude [1973]
Hubert Laws — Crying Song [1969]
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What catches your eye/ear in this gallery?
vinylconnection.com.au 
I happen to be enjoying some Hubert Laws now.
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A lovely set of covers.
Thank you
DD
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Cool, DD. I was thinking of you when I assembled the youtube links last night. Does your system allow streaming of youtube audio through your DAC etc?
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It certainly does!
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Perhaps in the past I’ve mentioned that I really like the warm enveloping tone of Columbia popular jazz recordings in the mid to late fifties. I’m not saying that it’s the same with CTI albums but they do seem to achieve clarity and a true Hifi sound without losing warmth.
Spanish Blue was less bass focused than I expected but nonetheless the right choice for prepping an undemanding meal.
I’ve popped on Yellow & Green now which makes me think I’ll get out some mustard to accompany that steak.
Cheers, Bruce
(there’s a red in hand)
DD
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Excellent on all counts, DD. Enjoy.
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That Ron Carter one is beautiful, feels like most cover designs don’t pay attention to light/shade like that.
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The shadows are rich textures, aren’t they?
Thanks for dropping by, Graham.
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I’ve just come in and am about to search for Spanish Blue. It sounds like a good choice for cooking a steak for dinner, something I very rarely do.
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Ron’s interpretation of ‘So What’ is certainly juicy. Enjoy your steak. I look forward to an appraisal. 🙂
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My eyes can’t make sense of the picture on that Gabor Szabo album. It gives absolutely no sense of scale. Are we looking into a shopping basket or perched on the roof of a skyscraper? It’s infuriating!
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LOL. Both?
No, I *think* is is a basket. But don’t bet your house on it.
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Yeah those are awesome!
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Real pleased you liked ’em, KMA. (And not just because it justifies my ridiculous collecting, no, not at all)
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Well, y’oughta know by now, I am absolutely an enabler! 😉
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Two thoughts: the Body Talk one is just brilliant photography and the Fingers one has always really freaked me out. There’s a CTI one with a car radiator grill on it, can’t remember which it is (but it has a Miles Davis track covered on it) which I like too.
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Yeah, that Airto cover is riveting and disturbing. ‘Moon Germs’ is probably the one I’d most like to add.
Is this the one you were thinking of?
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Just wish I picked up a few more of these in the day. The covers do have a certain appeal but it’s what’s inside that delivers the goods. Love these takes Bruce.
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I feel the same, CB. Beautiful artefacts and often more musically nourishing than the added strings might suggest.
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